Night of the White Raven
Mood:  bright
Topic: Forthcoming Books
At long last, my husband's novel is coming out. In just a week or two, his historical adventure, Night of the White Raven, will be in our hands.

And what an accomplishment it is. After nearly 12 years of writing, rewriting, revising, rearranging and sometimes frustration (on my part as editor!), the book came together and is now in print.

I never would have dreamed my husband would turn out to be an author. His education was limited, and he is dyslexic, which means he has trouble even writing a simple one-page letter, or addressing an envelope.

Yet something deep within him brought forth this work, which seems to be his memory of a past life. I wouldn't doubt it... I can see it in him.

You will love his characters as much as I have come to know them. It starts out with his childhood on a farm in western Pennsylvania, with a hard-working mother, an abusive father, and younger siblings that look up to him, as well as the pretty young school marm who attaches herself to the family and has her eye on young Nathan.

At 15, he takes off with Mr. Joe, the old Indian friend who taught him to trap, and together they make their way toward the Illinois River, surviving because of Mr. Joe's wisdom.

When Nathan reaches Starved Rock in the fall of 1818, he has already killed three men, but was unable to save his old Indian friend. Seeking refuge for the winter, he gets hired as a stable hand for the blacksmith, Mr. Jakobes, whose assistant, Charley Blackstone, and the mulatto cook and housekeeper, Fanny, take to Nathan and nurture him.

The blacksmith's teen-age daughter, Kate, sheltered by her parents, finds the young stable hand most interesting, and eventually seduces him.

Nathan teams up with his black friend, Cole, who works for the riverboat captain, and together they plan their journey west into the untamed country.

I won't disclose the rest. You'll have to read it for yourself. I believe Ethan has done an excellent job plotting and pulling his story together. The grammar and writing style won't win any prizes... but it doesn't matter because it all comes from his heart, and those who know him will recognize his special "voice."

Contact me if you are interested in getting a copy of this limited-edition first novel!

* * * * * *

Earth Star is happy to announce that two, possible three more titles will be added before fall.

Still waiting for a contract is the novel, COZY, by Karen Gallob, a local writer with a beautiful style. Karen has written articles for the Merchant Herald, and her light-hearted novel is a delight, sure to keep you turning pages.

Definitely on the table is Commander Sanni Ceto's second book, ZETI CHILD — LOST UPON A ONE-STAR WORLD, due out around the end of August. The response to Sanni's first book, STRANDED ON EARTH, THE STORY OF A ROSWELL SURVIVOR, was tremendous, and people are asking when the second one will be out.

Her book will include numerous illustrations, including the workings of spacecraft and species from other worlds.

Next, my own work: The first in the Annette Vetter Mystery Series, THE MYSTERY AT HICKORY HILL, is slated for August or September. More about that in my next blog...